Meow Mix

A Cat's Tale

====Chapter Two====

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The rest of the summer passed more quickly than I would have thought possible. I had gymnastics meets at least every couple of weeks and my training was stepped up to 4 days a week. I also had Miranda.

Miranda was a bundle of curiosity and humor. She had a twisted sense of humor that could leave me breathless. After she started meeting some of the people in town (courtesy of our frequent strolls together), she would start making observations about them. I think I learned more about the town I'd grown up in from her observations than I had during the 16 years I'd lived there.

We got along famously and I had to admit that I liked her more than just as a friend. I have no idea how Miranda felt. She was fun. She was bubbly. She was an all around great friend. But, other than those kisses on the cheek after I rescued Loki, there was no sign that she wanted more.

I'll admit that I was afraid. I'd never had a girlfriend before. Courtesy of a gymnastic assistant a couple of years ago, I wasn't a virgin. But I wasn't Don Juan either. Kathy was 16 to my 14 and, for some reason, picked me to help her lose her virginity. We shared mutual time together whenever we could for the next year. It was sweet, but it was never more than just physical release for either of us. I hadn't bothered repeating the experience since then.

I think I was also afraid that once school started, Miranda would find someone else. Someone who didn't disappear several days a week. With her body and personality, the guys would be crawling all over her. She could have the pick of the litter. And while my gymnastics had given me a more than adequate musculature, I was still a bit of the geek. No way would she want to stick around.

It was with that thought in mind that I started school in August. Starting school also meant the return to the newsroom. Well, in actuality it was the French classroom, but it doubled as our news and journalism class. Outside of gymnastics, I had a real passion for writing.

I wasn't stupid. Most gymnasts are in their teens for a reason. It's not a matter of if you're going to get injured; it's a matter of how many times and what type of injury. A young body tends to heal faster. But the human body can only take so much abuse before it gives up. I was lucky that I was a male gymnast. Our best years were usually between 15 and 19 since it takes time and a minimal maturity to build the strength necessary to perform. Women gymnasts were considered over-the-hill by the age of 15.

No way was I going to let myself become a broken 19 year old with no prospects for a future. Writing was my passion and, hopefully, future vocation. It was also my refuge whenever I was depressed. To my surprise, I never needed it.

The guys did flock to Miranda - just as I knew they would. But Miranda didn't seem to show any preference and instead continued to hang around me. We didn't have any classes together, but we ate lunch together. She even took to hanging out in the newsroom with me when I had to stay late. I just figured she hadn't found anyone that tickled her fancy. Boy was I clueless.

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